Stackable and forklift positionable bulk bags

ABSTRACT

A bulk bag includes a side wall, a bottom wall, and plurality of vertically extending pockets secured to the side wall and positioned at equally spaced locations around the periphery thereof. The pockets receive support members comprising hollow tubes which receive positioning cups at the lower ends thereof to facilitate the stacking of bulk bags one upon another. Spaced, parallel forklift tine receiving tunnels are located beneath the bottom wall and are secured either adhesively or by means of projections formed in the structure of the tunnels at spaced apart locations along the lengths thereof. The forklift tine receiving tunnels have either semicircular, rectangular, or inverted V-shaped cross sectional configurations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/847,768 filed on May 18, 2004, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/769,168 filed Jan. 30, 2004, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/689,278 filed Oct. 20, 2003, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/436,761 filed May 13, 2003, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/253,086 filed Sep. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,753, which is a utility application comprising a continuation-in-part of prior provisional application Ser. No. 60/389,865 filed Jun. 20, 2002, abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to flexible intermediate bulk containers also known as bulk bags, and more particularly to bulk bags which are stackable one upon another and which facilitate the use of forklift trucks for lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking bulk bags and the contents thereof.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For more than thirty years flexible intermediate bulk containers a.k.a. bulk bags have been in widespread use throughout the world. Bulk bags are utilized primarily for receiving, storing, transporting, and discharging flowable solids. However, bulk bags are also utilized for a wide variety of other purposes including but not limited to waste disposal, handling of liquids and liquid containing substances, and handling of meat and meat products.

Bulk bags are typically, but not always, provided with lift loops at the upper ends thereof. The lift loops of a bulk bags are adapted to receive the tines of a forklift truck. The forklift truck is in turn utilized in the lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking of bulk bags.

The present invention comprises improvements in bulk bag design which facilitate the stacking thereof, and which also facilitate the use of forklift trucks for lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking bulk bags. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, bulk bags are provided with vertically extending pockets which receive support members, typically lengths of PVC pipe. In the case of square or rectangular bulk bags the pockets are positioned at the corners thereof, and in the case of tubular bulk bags the pockets are located at spaced apart intervals around the periphery thereof. In accordance with the present invention positioning cups are received in the bottom ends of the lengths of PVC pipe comprising the support members of the bulk bags, thereby facilitating the stacking of bulk bags one on top of another.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention spaced apart forklift tine receiving tunnels are provided at the bottom of the bulk bag to facilitate lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking of the bulk bag utilizing a forklift truck. The forklift tine receiving tunnels may be either semicircular, triangular, or rectangular in configuration. The forklift tine receiving tunnels may be secured in place by outwardly projecting ridges extending transversely relative to the lengths thereof. When the bulk bag is filled, the bottom wall thereof is forced into engagement with the ridges of the forklift tine receiving tunnels thereby preventing lengthwise movement of the tunnels relative to the bulk bag. Alternatively, the forklift tunnels may be secured to the bottom wall of the bulk bag by means of adhesives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, exploded partial perceptive view comprising a portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view comprising a different portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a first forklift tine receiving tunnel useful in the practice of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a further variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a second forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration useful in the practice of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perceptive view illustrating a variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a further variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating yet another variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a third forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration useful in the practice of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a fourth forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration useful in the practice of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a top view of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an end view of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the forklift tine receiving tunnel configuration of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 18 is an enlargement comprising a portion of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a bulk bag 20 comprising a first embodiment of the invention. The bulk bag 20 comprises a square or rectangular configuration, it being understood that the present invention is equally applicable to tubular bulk bags which are more or less round in horizontal cross section. The bulk bag 20 is provided with vertically extending pockets 22 located at each corner thereof. In the case of a tubular bulk bag the pockets 22 are located at equally spaced intervals around the periphery thereof.

Each of the pockets 22 contains a support members which typically comprises a length of PVC pipe. The function of the support members is to maintain the bulk bag 20 in an upright configuration, that is, to prevent the bulk bag from collapsing inwardly and downwardly. In this manner both the filling and the stacking of the bulk bag 20 are facilitated.

In accordance with the present invention each of the support members 24 is provided with a positioning cup 26 at the lower end thereof. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, each of the positioning cups 26 has a tubular member 28 extending upwardly therefrom. The tubular member 28 of the positioning cup 26 is received within the interior of the support member 24 whereby the positioning cup is located relative to the support member 24 and the bulk bag 20. The positioning cup may be provided with apertures 30 which receive tying members extending from the pocket 22 whereby the positioning cup 26 may be secured in engagement with the support member 24.

Utilization of the positioning cups 26 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. When an upper bulk bag 20 is stacked on top of a lower bulk bag 20, the positioning cups 26 engage the upper ends of the support members 24 of the lower bulk bag member which may be enclosed by the pocket 22. In this manner the upper bulk bag 20 is aligned relative to the lower bulk bag 20 both vertically and horizontally, thereby facilitating the assembly of a straight, parallel, and uniform stack of bulk bags.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the bulk bag 20 is further provided with a pair of spaced, parallel forklift tine receiving tunnels 34. The forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 each have a length equal to or somewhat greater than the width of the bulk bag 20 and are adapted to receive the tines T of a forklift truck F thereby facilitating the lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking of the bulk bag 20 by means of the forklift truck F. The forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 have a triangular or inverted V-shaped configuration and are secured in place by a fabric layer extending across the bottom of the bulk bag 20. The forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 may also be secured in place by lengths of webbing which are secured to the bottom of the bulk bag 20 at the center line thereof and which are secured to the sides of the bulk bag 20 by hook-and-loop fasteners of the type sold under the trademark “VELCRO”®.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a bulk bag 40 comprising a second embodiment of the invention. The bulk bag 40 comprises numerous component parts which are identical in construction and function to component parts of the bulk bag 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 and described hereinabove in connection therewith. The bulk bag 40 differs from the bulk bag 20 in that the forklift tine receiving tunnels thereof are semicircular in configuration as opposed to the triangular or inverted V-shaped configuration of the forklift receiving tunnels 34 of the bulk bag 20.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a bulk bag 44 comprising a third embodiment of the invention. The bulk bag 46 comprises numerous component parts which are identical in construction and function to component parts of the bulk bag 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 and described hereinabove in connection therewith. The bulk bag 44 differs from the bulk bag 20 in that the forklift tine receiving tunnels 46 thereof are rectangular in configuration as opposed to the triangular or inverted V-shaped configuration of the forklift receiving tunnels 34 of the bulk bag 20.

The forklift tine receiving tunnels of the present invention are further illustrated in FIGS. 6-18, inclusive. The forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 illustrated in FIG. 5 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith are further illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. Referring to FIG. 6, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 may comprise lengths of tubing which are cut in half longitudinally. For example, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 may be formed from length of PVC pipe or from lengths of cellulose-based tubing of the type utilized as arbors for rolls of carpeting. As is shown in FIG. 7, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 may be provided with flanges 52 located at the opposite ends thereof. The purpose of the flanges 52 is to guide the forklift truck operator during engagement of the tines of the forklift truck with the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 thereby preventing damage to the fabric of the bulk bag by engagement of the forklift tines therewith.

The forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 may be secured to the bottom wall of the bulk bag 20 by means of a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 may be provided with a plurality of ridges 54 which extend transversely relative to the lengthwise dimension of the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when a bulk bag having forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 equipped with ridges 54 is filled, the bottom wall of the bulk bag is tightly engaged with the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 whereby the ridges 54 thereof prevent longitudinal movement of the tunnel 42 relative to the bulk bag when forklift tines are inserted therethrough.

FIG. 8 illustrates a variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42. In accordance therewith the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 are provided with a bottom wall 56. The function of the bottom wall 56 is prevent damage to the fabric layer which secures the forklift tine receiving tunnels 42 in engagement with the bottom wall of the bulk bag.

The forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith are further illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. As is shown in FIG. 9, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 may comprise corrugated plastic panels which are slit along one side thereof and then folded into an inverted V-shaped configuration. In such instances the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 are secured in place utilizing suitable adhesives. Referring to FIG. 10, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 may comprise molded structures that are provided with flanges 62 located at the opposite ends thereof. The purpose of the flanges 62 is to guide the forklift truck operator during engagement of the tines of the forklift truck with the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 thereby preventing damage to the fabric of the bulk bag by engagement of the forklift tines therewith.

The forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 may be secured to the bottom wall of the bulk bag 20 by means of a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 may be provided with a plurality of ridges 64 which extend transversely relative to the lengthwise dimension of the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when a bulk bag having forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 equipped with ridges 64 is filled, the bottom wall of the bulk bag is tightly engaged with the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 whereby the ridges 64 thereof prevent longitudinal movement of the tunnels 34 relative to the bulk bag when forklift tines are inserted therethrough.

FIG. 11 illustrates a variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34. In accordance therewith the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34 are provided with a bottom wall 66. The function of the bottom wall 66 is prevent damage to the fabric layer which secures the forklift tine receiving tunnels in engagement with the bottom wall of the bulk bag.

FIG. 12 illustrates a variation of the inverted V-shaped configuration of the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34. In accordance therewith a forklift tine receiving tunnel 34′ comprises a top wall 68 and angularly extending side walls 70. The forklift tine receiving tunnels 34′ may comprise molded structures. Alternatively, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 34′ may comprise a flat panel which is bent downwardly along the opposite sides thereof to form the side walls 70.

FIG. 13 further illustrates the forklift tine receiving tunnels 46 which are shown in FIG. 5 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith. The forklift tine receiving tunnels 46 each comprise a rectangular construction which may include an imperforate bottom wall 70 and longitudinally extending side members 72. The top wall of the forklift tine receiving tunnel 46 comprises a plurality of spaced apart slats 74. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when a bulk bag having the forklift tine receiving tunnels 46 positioned in engagement with the bottom wall thereof is filled, the material of the bottom wall is forced into the spaces between the slats 74 of the tunnels 46 thereby preventing longitudinal movement of the tunnels 46 under the action of forklift tines moving longitudinally therethrough.

Another variation of the forklift tine receiving tunnel 46 which is shown in FIG. 5 and described hereinabove in conjunction therewith is illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18. As shown in FIG. 14, a forklift tine receiving tunnels 76 comprises a top wall 78 and angularly extending side walls 80. The forklift tine receiving tunnel 76 is provided with a plurality of ridges 82 which extend transversely relative to the lengthwise dimension of the forklift tine receiving tunnels 76. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when a bulk bag having forklift tine receiving tunnels 76 equipped with ridges 82 is filled, the bottom wall of the bulk bag is tightly engaged with the forklift tine receiving tunnels 76 whereby the ridges 82 thereof prevent longitudinal movement of the tunnel 76 relative to the bulk bag when forklift tines are inserted therethrough. Alternatively, the forklift tine receiving tunnels 46 may be secured to the bulk bag 20 by hook-and-loop fasteners of the type sold under the trademark “VELCRO”®. As shown in FIG. 14, a slot 84 located at each end of the top wall 78 of the forklift tine receiving tunnel 76 may receive a VELCRO® strap from the bag. The VELCRO® strap is affixed to the bottom of the bulk bag, secured through the slots 84, and then fastened back onto the bottom of the bulk bag.

FIG. 15 illustrates the close proximity of the ridges 82 along the top wall 78. FIG. 16 illustrates the degree to which side walls 80 of the forklift tine receiving tunnels 76 are angled. The angled side walls 80 allow for some margin of error if forklift tines are not inserted perfectly through the forklift tine receiving tunnels 76.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the side of the forklift tine receiving tunnel 76. At each end of the forklift tine receiving tunnel has beveled edges 86. The beveled edges 86 aid in moving the bulk bag 20 across the floor. As well known to those skilled in the art, bulk bags are often pushed across the floor to the desired location, rather than being lifted. The beveled edge 86 facilitates pushing the bulk bags across a floor because it allows the bulk bag to slide more easily over cracks in the floor or over any debris that may be on the floor. The enlarged representation of the ridges 82 in FIG. 18 illustrates that increased thickness of the top wall 78 towards the middle thereof. The increased thickness of the top wall adds strength and reduces any splaying of the side walls 76.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A bulk bag comprising: at least one side wall defining an exterior periphery and having a lower edge; a bottom wall secured to the lower edge of the side wall around the entire exterior periphery thereof; a plurality of nominally vertically extending pockets each secured to the side wall and located at equally spaced locations around the exterior periphery of the side wall; a plurality of support members secured in the pockets for maintaining the bulk bag in an open configuration; a pair of spaced, parallel forklift tine receiving tunnels extending under the bottom wall for facilitating the use of forklift trucks in lifting, transporting, positioning, and stacking the bulk bag; and the fork lift tine receiving tunnels having outwardly projecting ridges positioned at closely spaced intervals along the length thereof for securing the forklift tine receiving tunnel against longitudinal movement when the bulk bag is filled.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein each of the forklift tine receiving tunnels has a rectangular cross sectional configuration.
 3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein each of the forklift tine receiving tunnels has angularly extending side walls.
 4. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein each of the forklift tine receiving tunnels increases has increased thickness at the center of the top wall.
 5. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein each of the forklift tine receiving tunnels has a slot at each end which receives a fastener for securing the tunnel to a bulk bag.
 6. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein each of the forklift tine receiving tunnels has beveled edges at each end to facilitate movement thereof across an underlying surface. 